Derek Miller, International Housewares Association

The August 19 edition of HOMEWORLD BUSINESS® revealed the 14th annual “People To Watch” in housewares during the next 12 months.

Selected by HomeWorld Business editors, “People To Watch” represents a cross section of a diverse housewares business— from established to newly installed company leaders; from large to small operations, from big-box to specialty retailers; from trade show managers to celebrity endorsers.

The HomeWorld “People To Watch” are in the spotlight not only for how they might impact their respective organizations in the coming months, but also for how they might impact the overall housewares business.

Derek Miller, International Housewares Association, President

CREDENTIALS: While Derek Miller has been president of the International Housewares Association for a year his history with the organization dates back two decades. He joined the IHA in December 1999 as director, international business development then was named vp/international services in October 2001. In March 2014 he became IHA vp/global marketing. During his time at IHA, Miller developed the International Business Council Global Forum program to provide organization members direct education and networking with key buyers. He also developed the current model for IHA trade missions, leading more than 18 missions to 12 countries ranging from Japan to Australia to Brazil to Sweden.

WHAT TO WATCH: IHA has changed the name of its main show and, so part of its identity. The first Inspired Home Show, what was the International Home + Housewares Show, is slated for a March 2020 debut in Chicago. It is the central element in a larger initiative to update how IHA does business and will play out under the gaze of an industry that is bouncing through complex times into a future that seems to change in its prospects frequently.

Miller told HomeWorld Business, “I’m very excited about the year ahead as we will implement our updated five-year Strategic Plan, which helps define IHA’s vision and mission. We remain committed to providing a world-class, trade-only show while increasing the industry’s engagement with the consumer through connections with social influencers. These efforts will come together next March during The Inspired Home Show, IHA’s Global Home + Housewares Market, which has been reimagined with a focus on lifestyle, helping both exhibitors and retailers reach the ultimate decision maker, the consumer.”

PERSPECTIVE: Miller will be the face of the show’s new constitution and IHA’s five-year plan. He certainly has the experience and organizational know-how to guide IHA along, but bumps in the road occur. Miller’s ability to keep the organization moving forward and serving the industry will be on display as changes inside and outside the sector occur, so a strong start will win him even more confidence from the critical audiences he serves.

Current Issue

Editor-In-Chief Peter Giannetti previews the September 9 edition, a special HomeWorld Business 30th Anniversary edition featuring the 2019 Top 100 Housewares Retailers Report. The Top 100 ranking and accompanying analysis reveal shifting housewares retailing market share and volatility in key channels. The special 30th Anniversary issue also looks at industry evolution the past three decades through the eyes of veteran housewares leaders.
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